Reviews (4)

Informative, but somewhat misguided
The basic thesis of all essays in "The Invention of Tradition" is that many of the mass, public traditions in various societies of the world (from Scottish kilts to the very concept of tribes in Africa) are well-crafted ("invented") constructs of the 18th/19th centuries, and are not as ancient or immemorial as they are generally believed to be. Parenthetically, the very expression "invention of tradition" is somewhat redundant, since all traditions, as products of human behavior and human imagination rather than the result of natural forces, are invented in one way or another. All of the essays in the book show how this is so, providing an excellent analysis of the origins of these traditions. As such they are very valuable contributions to contemporary social/political history. However, although the tone of the book is that such "invented traditions" were frequently almost imposed and/or used as instruments of political manipulation, it can't be denied that they also very often gave expression to very real feelings - as editor Hobsbawm concedes in his concluding essay. Thus, rather than demonstrating some sort of arbitrary "invention" and manipulation, Prys Morgan's chapter on the Welsh also shows how previous traditions in Wales were revived, reformulated and continuously adapted from the late seventeenth century on to meet various political, social and cultural challenges, thus making the process of invention seem quite "natural." On the other hand, Terence Ranger's essay on Africa is almost disturbing in that it seems to imply that almost every aspect of African politics and society today were bequethed by the continent's former European colonial masters. Hugh Trevor-Roper's chapter on Scotland is useful in that it pinpoints the exact origins of the "highland tradition" and all outer, visual identity markers used by the Scots, but the overall implication seems to be that now that the sham is revealed, the Scots should discard their kilts and bagpipes in shame. It would have been more useful if he had provided an explanation of why Scottish patriots, and others, so eagerly accepted these "invented traditions," and why they are so deeply entrenched and stronger than ever today. This goes for the entire book: it's main value may be in (unitentionally) showing how all traditions are in fact invented in one way or another, and that they become traditions because, at least at the time of their inception, they serve strongly felt political, social, cultural or even economic needs.

The truth behind the tartans!
Hugh Trevor-Roper's contribution to this book is priceless.In his chapter "Invention of Tradition: The Highland Tradition of Scotland", he details for the reader where the supposedly "ancient" costume of Scotland came from.The kilt was invented by an English Quaker about 1726 to allow his Highland workmen to more easily move while smelting the iron ore he was extracting.The kilt was thus an expression of the Industrial Revolution rather than an ancient freedom of the heather. The real stuff of legend
The principle argumentative thread running through each of this book's essays is that the traditions Europeans hold dear about their respective cultures date back merely to the turn of the 20th century.Far fromlegendarily old, things like Scottish tartans and the English monarchical love of pomp and circumstance date back only to the Victorian era.More tothe point, many traditions aren't even native to the land which celebratesthem.Tartans, the book concludes, are actually northern English ideas,and the "British" love of pageantry comes more from India than fromanything deeply rooted in the gardens of the House of Windsor.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Cultural And Social Anthropology    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Folklore    6. History    7. History: World    8. Manners and customs    9. Origin    10. Reference    11. Rites and ceremonies    12. Social Institutions    13. World - General    14. Anthropology    15. History / World    16. Sociology    17. World history   

Reviews (1)

Must have for all ages!
I had borrowed this book from our local library and was very impressed. There's so much information in it and so many great pictures...it is worth having on your shelf and you will refer to it often as you look up historical words or questions you run into, your children can use it for school...It is the only book of this kind, that I could find, that has the entire history and is not concentrating on just one time-period or subject abt. American history. I also bought the "world history" one from National Georaphic. It is a great price and I haven't seen it at this price anywhere else (trust me I've done some research before buying). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Almanacs    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: World    6. Native American    7. Reference    8. United States    9. United States - General    10. United States History (General)    11. American history    12. History / General    13. USA   

Editorial Review

Continuing right where the first book left off, Read more

Reviews (34)

Great Book!
I teach 6th grade social studies and have found that these books are very popular as well as informative.In fact, I am replacing the ones I have because they are falling apart!

Outdated research but very funny
This, much like the rest of 'Cartoon history' series is history with a clear point of view. Gonick's point of view often makes him distinctly biased as well. However, this results in biting and insightful humor, so the net result is clearly a gain.
not as good as the first
I found the history of world religions and chinese history interesting but would have liked more on the history of technology and politics. A little more analysis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caricatures and cartoons    2. Cartoons and caricatures    3. Comics & Cartoons    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Reference    7. World - General    8. World history    9. Cartoons & comic strips    10. Humor / Cartoons    11. USA   

Reviews (15)

The very best on the subject
Runciman was a genius. A brilliant writer in English, whose grand ambitions never lead him astray from the most meticulous separationof fact from speculation, he was also an extraordinary polyglot. He read not only the Latin, Old French and Greek among the contemporary accounts of the Crusades, but the Arabic, Syriac, Persian, Hebrew, Gergian, Ethiopic, Slavonic, Norse and Mongolian as well, not to mention modern secondary works in many more languages still. (My man had a BIG BRAIN.) If he shows any favoritism at all among the warring factions of the Crusades, then it is towards the Byzantine Greeks, although what looks like favoritism to me may only be due to my own ignorance. Even if I'm right about his favoring the Greeks, Runciman is still by far the most impartial historian of the Crusades known to me. He's certainly the only one who took the trouble and had the talent to read all the sources in the original. (Most people who've read widely in more than one language can probably appreciate how much tends to be lost in translation, not to mention how much is never translated at all.) As if his reading weren't enough, he often walked through the cities and over the battlefields which he describes in his works, in order to discover things which no one had yet written. Very Excellent Point of Departure of a Misunderstood Time
Runciman's "A History of the Crusades" might very well seem daunting at first glance. Three volumes devoted to a well known but little understood series of events spanning several hundred years may seem like it will take a lot of note taking just to get through. Rest Assured this is certainly not the case.Keeping the narrative lively and and maintaing a fast pace these books read very quickly.Keeping in Mind that the period covered in these volumes stretches over about 500 years three volumes of medium size still is just a scratch on the surface of the Crusades.Following the copious footnotes the reader will easily understand that there is plenty of more material that could be explored if desired.
History at its finest
Steven Runciman's three-volume history of the Crusades (originally published in the early 1950s) is widely recognized as one of the greatest works of history written in the English language in the twentieth century.As such, it is indispensable reading for any serious student of the crusading period or the Middle Ages in general, as well as those with a broad interest in military history or the Middle East.
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Subjects:  1. Crusades    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Medieval    7. Medieval World History (Circa 450 - Circa 1450)    8. Middle East - General    9. Reference    10. Europe    11. European history: c 500 to c 1500    12. History / Middle East    13. Middle East   

Reviews (31)

A sublime account of the demise of the "Greek emperor" and the fall of his city
Exceedingly well written and utterly fascinating, Sir James Stevenson Runciman's classic account of the siege and fall of Constantinople manages to be thoroughly academically sound and highly entertaining at the same time. Steven Runciman doesn't just deliver the dry facts, which would be alright, no, he tells the story, which is much better. And he does it without forefeiting historical accuracy, and, blessedly, without drawing any politically motivated parallels to "modern" conflicts, be they religious, or political, or both.
strongly recommended
I strongly suggest to buy and read this book to all people interested in history in general.
Probably very good
I have not yet received this book from Amazon, so it is a little difficult to say what it is like. But I am sure it will be at least very good.Runciman is an excellent author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Byzantine Empire - History    2. Europe - Greece    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Istanbul (Turkey)    7. Middle East - Turkey    8. Reference    9. Siege, 1453    10. Byzantine Empire    11. Europe    12. European history: c 500 to c 1500    13. History / Middle East    14. Istanbul (Turkey)--History--Siege, 1453    15. c 1500 to c 1600   

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Asia - India & South Asia    3. Encyclopedias    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. India    8. Reference    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history    10. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    11. General encyclopaedias    12. Geography    13. World history   

Reviews (6)

Dull Dull Dull This Book needs to be reworked.
I am a university student majoring in history. I was forced to endure the reading of this book for a course in historical methods. I found the book to be very dull in its presentation and arguments about the historical house. This is not just my opinion but that of my fellow students as well. In a class of thirty people only two or three found the book excellent to use the rest of us found it a disaster. There are numerous other sources out there that present this material in a more colorful and interesting fashion. I am no fan of this book. The book does present the very broad subdivisions of historical research. I disagree with anyone who is in the study of history that allows one book, one professor, or one course to mold their like or dislike for this discipline. I suffered through this book because it was mandated for the course. I did learn something about the topic. So in that way the book did have useful information in it. I just would like to suggest to those who want to learn about the historical houses of history that there is an abundant amount of material available both on the web and published that is much better in presentation then this book. For the dullness and lackluster presentation of the material I gave this book only 3 stars.

Great intro text - which Jay obviously couldn't handle
Great book. Before I read it, I had been confused by the various historiographical 'houses.' Now I know what's what. Anyone who's doing a historiography course at university should read this book because it (a) explains most things well and (b) makes it clear that there is a lot of conscious consideration behind how historians approach the past, which I think anyone who plans to study the past for a living needs to know. Jay's negative review shows he isn't willing to engage in a sophisticated analysis of the historian's influence on history.

Don't listen to Jay!
This is a response to the first review written by Jay, who claims that this book made him hate history, and further, change majors because of it.If this is the case, then that it great.The study of history doesn't need people like Jay!The value of this text is that it presents a brief synopsis of the main schools of historical thought, and an according sample with each.Jay is obviously of the dominant school (empiricist) that thinks history chould be treated like a science, without concern for philosophical questions.Despite what you may think about postmodernism, it has unearthed the deception of the empiricist school.By professing their method as THE path to THE truth, empiricists cut off unthought ideas by setting up a power discourse.They rule the universities, and anyone who wants to become a 'professional' historian must take his/her PHD pill from them.HOUSES OF HISTORY is a great text for the beginner in that it provides a brief summary of the schools of history, which is invaluable in undertaking a historiography course.Historiography is NOT boring and useless, and any historian who thinks it is is simply trying to prevent new ideas from emerging, ideas that might (oh no!) compromise his/her position.Don't listen to Jay. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Historians    3. Historiography    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Modern - 20th Century    8. Philosophy    9. HISTORY, MODERN_20TH CENTURY    10. History / Modern / 20th Century    11. History: theory & methods   

Reviews (7)

A new classic
Thousands of books are published every year. For some subjects like the American Civil War, it's been speculated that there's a new book every minute.Few, however, are ever accorded the status of classic.Classic are those timeless literary works that are as relevant today as the day it was written.They continue to be read long after the original author is gone.Classics set the watermark by which newer works are judged.For the American Revolution, students and scholars alike have long acknowledged that Mark Boatner's Encyclopedia of the American Revolution is one of those classics.
A very welcome addition
"A Guide To The Battles Of The American Revolution" is a 288-page, nicely illustrated, comprehensive, informed and informative history of every single engagement between American and British forces during the six year war of the American Revolution from first shots fired at Bunker Hill to the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781 resulting in the final defeat of the English and the emancipation of the colonies from British rule. Co-written by Theodore Savas (author and managing director of Sava Beatie) and David Dameron (author and historian), "A Guide To The Battles Of The American Revolution" is organized with each military engagement entry beginning with introductory details (date of the battle, location, commanders, opposing forces, terrain, weather, time of day), followed by both Colonial and British perspectives of the unfolding military situation, a detailed and unbiased account of what actually transpired, a discussion of numbers and losses, an assessment of the consequences of the battle, and suggestions for further reading. A work of impressive historical scholarship, "A Guide To The Battles Of The American Revolution" is thoroughly 'reader friend' and a very welcome addition to personal, academic, and community library American History collections in general, and American Military History collections in particular.

Joshua Keena
A Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution is a superior, thorough, and succinct work that illuminates the dawn of our country for future generations.The authors provide an unbiased and clearly formatted book that allows the reader to see the battles that shaped the Revolutionary War.This book can serve as a comprehensive review of the entire war, or can afford the reader with a reference for specific battles and leaders. The authors took great care to use current military terminology to add a modern context to events that occurred over 200 years ago.In this respect, I feel they are to be commended because readers of this outstanding book can relate our early struggles as a nation to events occurring today.Thoroughly enjoyable, great read, this book owns a special place on my bookshelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: World    4. Reference    5. United States - Revolutionary War    6. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    7. Battles & campaigns    8. Revolutions & coups    9. USA    10. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (6)

A good read
Short and to the point.
You Can't Read Just One
This little book might be called a bathroom reader of military trivia. Just someof the little tidbits to be learned include: America's Worst General (Commander in Chief of the Army in 1796), the American traitor who led the American Army to victory at Saratoga, the origin of the song Taps, the word Bazooka, the Battle where 32 american soldiers and more than fifty wounded and there was no enemy, the invention of G.I. Joe.
Interesting short stories
Book gives small snippets of interesting stories of war.Some are commonly known, and others are 'different'.Wish there was more info on some of the stories though... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military History (General)    8. Military history    9. History / Reference    10. True war stories    11. Warfare & Defence    12. World history   

Reviews (44)

Where Was This Book in 1965?
I always felt that my basic training experience back in 1965 would have been much better had I known something about what I was going to endure. Now, modern day Army recruits have at their finger tips, "The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook" for surviving "boot camp"; and this is no exaggeration! Author Sgt. Michael Volkin has done a very creditable job of capturing all the needed information to survive basic training.
Perfect
This is perfect for anyone thinking of going in any branch of the military. If you want to do well in BCT you need this book.
Outstanding
This book is a straightforward delivery of important information for anyone entering or considering entering the United States military.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Military Science    4. Reference    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. History / Reference    7. Land forces & warfare    8. Military life & institutions    9. USA   

Reviews (3)

Essential reading for the seriuos student of strategy.
The purpose of "The Making of Strategy" is to give the reader an insight into how strategy has been made in the past. This is done through various historical case studies which range from Ancient Greece to American Cold War nuclear policy. Each essay tries to show events from the perspectives of those who were involved and attempts to get inside the mindset of the people who had to forumlate and then implement the various strategies. Essential for strategy in any field of action
The book brings back historically those features that are essential in any strategy for most activities, altgough is focused in war.Basic reading for bussines.

Excellent & Easy reading
"The Making of Strategy" examines the strategy-making processes through the cultural, social, political, organisational and historical ( not just the military ) lenses, starting from the Peloponnesian Wars to theNuclear Age. The book is also excellent in inrtoducing the concept ofWeltanschauung; how a nation's strategic choices are often products of itsstrategic culture. This helps the reader to understand that despiteadvances in military technologies; why most wars are fought the way theyare fought. Very easy reading and excellent book on the little knownprocess of how strategy is often made. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Reference    7. World - General    8. Defence strategy, planning & research    9. History / World    10. Strategy--Case studies   

Reviews (28)

A reference not a history
This is a reference book, not a narrative history. Other reviews seem to miss the point of this book. It helps you see what was happening around the world in any given year. If you know nothing about the people and events of history, you need more of a narrative presentation. If you have some historical knowledge, it's a fascinating way to cross-reference thoughts, ideas, people and events. And if you want to know more you can always look it up in more depth. Use this book how it's intended and you won't be dissatisfied.

Good...Just Good
It was exactly what I expected. I settled when I bought this, I looked for some reference book with descriptions, and this was what I ended up getting. The timeline is an interesting persective, but, a huge asset was the index which listed the years (2 Formats in one book) so it was just good.

Tabular format dooms a valient effort
The format -- a tabular list of events sorted by year -- is this book's Achilles heel.The depth of information is immense, but the format makes reading it feel more like a chore than a joy.Though I appreciate the chronological presentation (as opposed to a geographically isolated context in which most history is taught), in the end it fails to make up for the dry method of presentation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chronology    2. Chronology, Historical    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Reference    7. Tables    8. World - General    9. World History    10. History / General   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - Naval    3. Military Science    4. Naval Operations    5. Reference    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Warships    9. Naval forces & warfare    10. Yearbooks, annuals, almanacs   

Reviews (66)

Yes, he's kidding
Una interpretaci�n absolutamente falaz tanto de la historia como de la filosof�a pol�tica. Un sinsentido que lamentablemente ha tenido enorme repercusi�n en la formulaci�n de pol�ticas desde el imperio hacia la "periferia". Un deseo de teleolog�a desde la imposici�n del poder. En fin, hay que leerlo s�lo para re�rse un rato con tanto absurdo.

Fukuyama's Teleology & Eschatology =A LIBERAL WORLD DEMOCRACY OF IMPERIAL EXCESS & CULTURAL VOID
The reviewer below me is obviously ignorant and philosophically unfamiliar with the terminal grand narrative of which Fukumaya celebrates in this optimisticly dead-wrong opus, and that is?
History, philosophy, and the question of human nature.
Fukuyama is Director of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Relations, and is thus in a position to directly influence the thinking of the rising generation of diplomatic professionals, those who will conduct American foreign policy for the next several decades.Therefore, this book is of great significance, whatever its other merits may be.
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Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Historiography    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Philosophy    7. Political Philosophy    8. World politics    9. History / General    10. History: theory & methods   

Editorial Review

The "Langer Encyclopedia," as the professional academics call Read more

Reviews (14)

First rate quick reference
Not for reading, but for looking up details while reading other materials or quick confirmation of background information that comes up in discussion or newspaper/magazine articles or even historical details encountered in literature. There is very little detail, but almost everything gets a mention and can be put in context of other world events. I am on my third edition and would not be without it on my reference shelf.

Great Teaching Resource
I teach a 100 level art history at a univeristy and this is an excellent resource to accompany my lectures. My only complaint is not with the book but with whoever shipped it. Apparently this newer edition comes with a CD-ROM BUT mine had already been ripped out when I received it. I don't normally care about that sort of thing but I did pay for it and would have liked to have had the option of looking at it. Seemed too much trouble to send it back, plus I needed to have the book.

Leave this one at the library.
This is a wonderful encyclopedia, but it's so packed with general information that I believe it would be best kept at the library for a quick reference to dates and events. Not for the in debt researcher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Outlines, syllabi, etc    5. Reference    6. World - General    7. History / World   

Subjects:  1. Europe    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Reference    6. Research    7. Statistics    8. 20th century    9. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    10. European history: from c 1900 -    11. Local history    12. Reference works    13. Social history    14. c 1700 to c 1800    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (5)

Top five
This belongs on any list of the five best books of American Indian history, or of North American colonial history. Richard White is brilliant. Read this book.

A professional work
Richard White managed to write a historical book that combines political, social, and cultural history with a wonderful writing style, which captures the readers' attention from the very beginning.
The Middle Ground and Victim Baiting
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF RICHARD WHITE'S